How to Draw Basics: Contours
Learn about contour drawing by completing fun exercises such as blind-contours and re-creating a Picasso!
Adria W.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(323)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. No formal homework will be assigned, but learners are encouraged to review and practice concepts taught in class.Assessment
To remove the stress of what is sometimes a very daunting course of study, your learners will not have tests, quizzes, or formal grades in the class. Instead, I utilize positive verbal critiques to provide feedback and encourage improvement. However, if grades are requested I will provide them via rubrics that will suggest a grade. Learners progress will be gauged by the completion of their assignments, execution of techniques, contributions in critique sessions, and their class presence (being on-time, listening when I am speaking, and how they communicate with peers).Grading
includedClass Experience
As you begin your latest masterpiece, what is the first thing you begin to draw? If your answer is “the outline of the thing” then you are not alone! Most artists will begin with a sketch of the outlines or lines of their subject. These line drawings are called contours, a French word for outline. For the most successful pieces, it is important to know how to observe line in objects and know how to draw them. How to Draw Basics: Contours is designed to get learners looking and drawing with beautiful lines. No background knowledge is required for this class, but I recommend taking How to Draw Basics: Materials if your student is completely new to art! How to Draw Basics: Contours will teach learners how to really look at something and get them practicing beautiful lines through a combination of PowerPoint lecture and a set of three exercises. These exercises include knowing versus seeing, an inverted recreation of Picasso’s Great Head, 1946, and a series of blind-contour drawings. All of these assignments will to train your learners to separate what they know from what they see, teach them what a contour is, and improve their concentration and hand-eye coordination The practice of these concepts will begin teaching learners about naturalism or drawing from life. Time permitting, students may also have the option to do a contour drawing of an object around them. Learners are encouraged to ask questions! The mastery of this concept will provide the framework for future drawings. Learners should complete this class with the ability to recognize when they’re drawing from memory rather than from what they see, know what a contour is and how to maintain a consistent line quality, improved concentration and hand-eye coordination skills, and an understanding of naturalism. Additionally, they will have completed three in-class exercises. The exercises provided in class should be practiced for mastery of contour drawing. ***I recommend taking my one-time How to Draw Basics classes in the following order: #1: Materials and Value #2: Contours #3: Light and Value #4: Composition
Learning Goals
o Be able to define and understand “contour” and “naturalism”
o Recognize when you are drawing from your brain or memory and when you are drawing what you see
o Understand and be able to practice blind contours on your own
o Have completed three successful in-class assignments (Knowing v. Seeing, Great Head Contour, Blind Contours)
Other Details
Supply List
***MATERIALS*** Your student will need: - A drawing pencil - Polymer or vinyl eraser -A sketchbook or drawing paper -Picasso's Great Head Print out These materials should cost less then $25.00 and are multi-purpose. They can be used outside of this course. Your student may want to purchase these optional materials if they are interested in taking any other HTDB class: -A range of graphite drawing pencils including 4H, 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, and 6B -Willow or vine charcoal (Our value study assignment has the option for charcoal, but it isn't required) -Kneaded eraser I provide two PDF's for this class: -A syllabus with course information and vocabulary -An in-depth materials guide
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am delighted to be able to offer classes that emphasize fine art techniques through the lens of observational drawing. Observational art is a method of learning to draw with three principles in mind: understanding of the subject, building looking skills, and practice of artistic technique. Through this method and practice, learners can draw anything. Completion of my courses will result in a learner who is engaged with art and understands basic art technique. Even students who are not aspiring artists have much to gain from drawing, including improvement of hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity skills.
Along with my bachelor’s degree in art history and studio art from a premier liberal arts institution in Ohio, I also have been teaching since 2016. My online teaching career began on Outschool in 2017. I have taught homeschoolers, unschoolers, and undergraduate students of all ages. My background in art history means that my classes are created with an understanding of historical precedence- I’m teaching what I know works! Many of my classes include examples of important artworks from masters for students to examine and learn skills from. In addition, my many years of teaching art have helped me curate concise and logical drawing curriculum that young artists can easily pick up and apply to their work. Every art class I teach hopes to provide learners with all the knowledge and support they need to grow as an artist.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 100 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
1-8 learners per class
